The Commons spending watchdog has said the rural superfast broadband programme has been mismanaged by the Government and placed sole provider BT in a "quasi monopolistic position".

Concerns were raised after the Government revised its initial target of 90 per cent of the UK having superfast connections by 2015 to 95 per cent by 2017.

The tender process also drew criticism when just two service providers – BT and Fujitsu – were named as approved bidders, with Fujitsu eventually dropping out.

Mr Heery, project manager for Cybermoor, a social enterprise based in Alston Moor, Cumbria which provides broadband services to the community, says the rural superfast broadband programme procurement not transparent enough and stifles competition.

"It's stifling competition in rural areas which could provide new services and could provide innovation. Small businesses and social enterprises get involved in these areas but unfortunetly the way the procurement has been structured heavily favours BT."